Mission

WEDC’s mission is to build a vibrant community of women entrepreneurs by providing high quality entrepreneurial training programs and support services to both start-up and established women business owners in Westchester County and the Lower Hudson Valley, including training and access to microenterprise funding for minority and economically disadvantaged women.

History

The Women's Enterprise Development Center Inc. (WEDC), a not-for-profit microenterprise development program, was formed in 1997 to help women achieve economic self-sufficiency through small business development. It was launched as a collaborative effort of:

• The Westchester County Association
• Westchester Community College
• New York State Division for Women (Lower Hudson Valley Advisory Council)
• Westchester Association of Women Business Owners
  

WEDC was initially formed as a pilot program called Women's Enterprise Project (WEP).  WEP focused on women who lacked access to traditional business and financial resources, including women transitioning off public assistance, displaced homemakers, and Spanish speaking entrepreneurs. In 2002 WEP became the Women's Enterprise Development Center Inc. (WEDC). In 2003 we became the designated United States Small Business Administration (SBA) Women’s Business Center for Westchester County and the Lower Hudson Valley, New York, and extended our efforts to help all women entrepreneurs at all stages of business development.  In 2008, WEDC became a New York Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) Entrepreneurial Assistance Program (EAP) Center.

WEDC also serves specialized populations including mature adults 50+, child care providers, survivors of domestic violence, veterans, and workers dislocated by the current economic downturn.

In 2009 WEDC expanded our Spanish program offerings.

All WEDC programs and services are available to men.

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